My Girlfriend is a Death Row Inmate - Chapter 12: Superhuman Girl

Chapter 12: Superhuman Girl

The world does not know that Shizuku Nanagi has allies. 

No sane person would think there is anyone in this world who would hide her. 

I received some items in a bag in exchange for the money and left the convenience store.

Though I am hiding her, I am a complete amateur with no knowledge of investigations. I’m merely providing a hiding place. She was attempting to destroy evidence on her own. For example, when she killed Misakigawa Yuuna, she apparently made sure all traces leading to me were eaten by rats. So even if they examine that corpse, the only fact that will come out is that Shizuku Nanagi killed her. It’s a calculation that won’t cause trouble for me at all. 

In fact, when that body was found, the school was once again in an uproar, but since there was no evidence linking me, I was not suspected. However, what’s a bit strange is that Shizuku hasn’t erased the traces of when she killed Keisuke and the others. If they were to investigate their corpses, they would likely notice the fact that I was being bullied, but for some reason, the police have never visited, not even once.

—I appreciate it, but…

The police in this country are excellent. It’s hard not to feel like they’re manipulating something when they’re exposing their incompetence so blatantly. Yes, for example—

“Thief!”

When I turned around at the shout coming from behind, I saw a masked man coming towards me with what looked like an expensive bag in one hand. Further back, a woman directed her hand towards the man and was yelling incessantly, and I recognized the voice as that woman’s.

　Many people reacted to her anguished cry, but there weren’t many who attempted to catch the thief with a sense of justice. They didn’t try to intervene once they realized a pickpocket was nearby. Some people even veered off into side streets out of fear of getting involved.

I’m not in a position to say this, having actually messed up, but when seeking help, you have to create a situation where being abandoned would lead to serious consequences. There aren’t many people in modern times who willingly stick their necks out for a tough situation. Whether the other person has a knife or not doesn’t change that fact.

I don’t intend to be a self-proclaimed defender of justice, but I leaped out in front of the man, wanting to believe even a little bit that I’m a good person.

“Move aside!”

It wouldn’t buy any time. I was swiftly pushed aside, and the man disappeared into the crowd. No matter how loud the woman’s voice was, it wouldn’t reach someone coming from the opposite direction. Even if the man had bumped into her, he would likely seem to be in a hurry.

“Ah! My bag…!”

The disappointed woman. Perhaps she didn’t try to get up because she had scraped her legs, or maybe she was feeling down. What I, who hadn’t been much help, should do now is probably to comfort that unfamiliar woman.

“Hmm?”

Just as I was about to act, someone else rushed over to the woman first. A familiar woman―no, her figure. That slender, healthy body was indeed what my sister admired…

“Your bag? Stolen? The culprit went that way? The description… I see. Please don’t worry. I’ll catch them right away.”

“B-but they’re already heading into the crowd…”

Ignoring the woman’s resignation, she―Kusune Rinbara, ran off. Her destination was an ordinary telephone pole. With enough momentum, she jumped up, using the pole as a springboard, and leaped over to the other side of the crowd.

“Huh!?”

This wasn’t just parkour. She effortlessly leaped over a crowd of over three meters. Even though she was wearing a skirt, how could she pull off such a stunt? Those who were just jumped over by her would have seen her underwear if they looked up, what a waste. Using a trick of leaping onto the roadside, I followed Kusune’s trail.

While it was convenient for the pickpocket to blend into the crowd, he seemed to be struggling with its density. Kusune landed just as the man emerged from the crowd. It was almost simultaneous. Having heard the description of the bag from the woman beforehand, she quickly realized it was stolen property.

She grabbed the man’s arm.

“Eh―――”

“That’s not your bag, is it? Please return it.”

“Let go!”

　The man reflexively swung a punch, but he aimed it without looking at her. Even for a pro, it’s unreasonable to expect a hit from such an attack. Her fist slipped past his head. Kusune grabbed his outstretched arm, wedged herself under it, and lifted his chin. At the same time, she kicked his leg out from under him, bringing him down on the spot.

“Ka… Ah…”

“You seem quite confident in your ability to snatch bags on foot, but too bad. Why not try riding a motorcycle next time?… Well, you’ve narrowly escaped with your life.”

“Huh?”

“If you had been riding a vehicle, at best you would have suffered severe injuries, but in most cases, you wouldn’t have survived. The police will be here soon. I don’t know why you did this, but repent for your actions.”

At some point, the police had been called, and indeed they arrived. The culprit was apprehended, and the bag was safely returned to its rightful owner. It’s a story that anyone would find gratifying, as apprehending pickpockets in the act is apparently difficult, so the case quickly concluded.

Kusune said, “If he had been riding a vehicle, he would have died,” but what does that mean? There’s even the possibility that it was a bluff to prevent repeat offenses. By the way, aside from the pain of being pressed against the concrete, the man had no significant injuries, so it’s highly unlikely that Kusune would be charged with assault.

It seems Kusune will accompany them for questioning about the arrest reasons.

“…Sakisaka-kun.”

“Huh?”

That’s my name. It’s been a while since I was called by my last name, but I instinctively responded. How does she know my name? Kusune put her hands in both pockets and bowed to me.

“Thank you for your assistance in the arrest.”

“C-cooperation? I just got shoved aside.”

“Let’s leave it at that, then. My name is… Oh, it seems you already know my face. Well then, I’ll take my leave for today. Until we meet again.”

“W-wait! How do you know my name?”

After blinking three times, Kusune Rinbara turned as she spoke.

“It’s only natural that I know it.”

“From tomorrow, I’ll be counting on you, okay?”

——————————

“You met Kusune Rinbara, huh?”

“Huh?”

I went to the convenience store in the first place to get ice cream for Shizuku, but as soon as I returned to the room, I was asked that question. I had nothing to hide, but being questioned as if she had been at the scene left me somewhat frozen. I couldn’t see any contempt or hostility in Shizuku’s eyes.

“Y-yes.”

“I thought so. I could tell right away. You caught her attention, huh?”

“N-no, it’s not like that… There was a small incident, and I just happened to be there.”

It felt like it’s been a while since I ate something sweet. There was no special reason. I didn’t dislike it, but there was no reason to go through the effort of buying it. That’s all there was to it. But from now on, I would probably go to great lengths to buy it, just because Shizuku, who was excitedly eating cup ice cream, was so cute.

“That’s what catching her attention means. Kusune is a professional when it comes to tracking me down. Call it a sixth sense or a seventh sense, but she must have sensed something about you that’s connected to me. She’s that kind of person.”

“…Um. If you knew her name, couldn’t you just control her?”

She can manipulate creatures whose names she knows. The fact that she never calls me by my name, and she never manipulates me, shows her sincerity. Kusune Rinbara is a famous enough name to even appear in the media, so there’s no way she can’t control her.

When Shizuku turned the TV on, the channel was airing intellectuals criticizing celebrities for their irresponsible behavior in relationships. It seemed to be a live broadcast. After watching for a while, one of the commentators unexpectedly stood up and began to speak out.

“Ah, suppira suppira chokonno chon! Hoi! Saa! Saa! Hoi! Saa! Saa! Appearapoccho!”

(E/N: idk what this means either. og text -> 『あスッピラスッピラチョコンノチョン！　ホイ！　サア！　サア！　ホイ！　サア！　サア！　あっぺらぽっちょ』)

“W-Wakikata-san? What happened all of a sudden?”

“This show is crap! Why did they call me for this? They’re kidding around. That’s why TV sucks! I’ll show you what real fun is!”

The footage abruptly cut to a still image with a sign saying “Please wait a moment” just as the man called Wakikata suddenly exposed himself by taking off his pants.

Shizuku turned off the TV, looking unimpressed.

“That’s a fake name, you know. I know her real name, but even then, I can assert this: I can’t control her.”

“Are there any exceptions?”

“No. I can control her, but I shouldn’t do it. To put it bluntly, it would lead to self-destruction.”

I don’t get the point. I finished eating my ice cream while I was deep in thought. Then, out of nowhere, Shizuku offered me a bite with a wooden spoon. I was bewildered by the sudden gesture, and she chuckled.

“Isn’t serving the master your duty as a slave? Also, I love your smile. Could you please show that smile to only me?”

“…J-just to Shizuku?”

“I didn’t tell you, but I’m a very possessive woman. Are you disappointed?”

“N-no, not at all! I love women like that!”

“Good. Then, here, aahh…”

Aaahh!

The ice cream she gave me was exceptionally delicious.

“I don’t know what Kusune is up to, but be careful, okay? If she tries anything flirtatious, tell me right away, okay? I’ll make her realize that I love you more than anyone else in the world… Nnfufu♪ Here, aahh?”

Aaahh!